Inside Ekiti's drive to become Southwest food hub
Ekiti State is redefining its agricultural future through deliberate investments, strategic policy reforms and partnership with private investors and agribusiness aimed at transforming the state into a major food production
Ekiti State is redefining its agricultural future through deliberate investments, strategic policy reforms and partnership with private investors and agribusiness aimed at transforming the state into a major food production hub in the Southwest. RASAQ IBRAHIM examines the strategy, progress and the challenges shaping the state's push toward sustainable food security.
The Ekiti State government is stepping up its drive toward achieving sustainable food security and sufficiency in the state. Government agencies, private investors and development partners are working hand-in-hand, pushing a shared agenda aimed at transforming agriculture in the state.
The government in its concerted effort to make Ekiti the food basket of the nation has moved beyond policy statements to implementation of concrete actions with focus on measurable outcome, improved productivity, strengthening value-chains and improvement of rural livelihoods.
The Agricultural Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (Agric-MEAL) Team has been at the forefront of this initiative. Through a combination of policy reviews, technical engagements, and on-site inspections, the government is fostering a culture that value evidence -based decision making, accountability, transparency and positive impacts of the state's agricultural policies on farmers, agribusiness and consumers.
Across the country, food security has become a growing concern, driven by higher production costs, climate-related disruptions as well as weak institutional support that has continued to expose the fragility of the agricultural system. Many farming communities still struggle with poor access to inputs, lack of storage facilities and deplorable rural roads; all of which have contributed to price volatility in food commodities.
In Ekiti State, however, a more deliberate and coordinated response has begun to reshape the narrative. The government has intensified investment across crop and livestock value chains while also strengthening institutions responsible for planning, monitoring, and sustaining agricultural growth.
By aligning policy direction with practical field interventions, the state is gradually building a more resilient food production system designed to withstand economic shocks. These interventions are already producing measurable outcomes with increased cultivation, improved yields, and better post-harvest management which have contributed to noticeable improvement in food supply within local markets and the consequent drop in the prices of staple commodities.
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Beyond the immediate impact on food prices, the agricultural reforms has also positioned Ekiti state not only to secure its own food needs but also to contribute meaningfully to supply of foods to other Southwest states of Ondo, Osun, Ogun, Oyo and Lagos and even beyond.
The role of the private sector has also become increasingly significant in Ekiti’s unfolding agricultural story. Large-scale farms, agro-processing centres and emerging agribusinesses are no longer viewed as isolated commercial interests but as vital partners in strengthening productivity, stabilising food markets and stimulating rural industrial growth.
Insights from field inspection conducted by the Agric-MEAL team offered a closer look at both the promise of these investments and the realities confronting them. From plantation farm to livestock infrastructure, recurring challenges such as poor rural road networks, high cost of electricity supply and labour shortages have continued to shape pace of growth within the sector.
However, these challenges, stakeholders noted, must be addressed to unlock the full benefits of the ongoing agricultural reforms. A seasoned agricultural expert, Dr. Oluwatiyosi Owonikoko noted that these structural limitations challenge present opportunities for strategic public investment in infrastructure, improved logistics, targeted incentives as well as stronger market linkages, which could enhance production, minimise post-harvest losses, and deepen value addition.
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"With the right mix of policy support and private-sector confidence, agricultural expansion in Ekiti state is increasingly seen as both achievable and sustainable", she added.
These themes formed the backdrop of the two-day Agric-MEAL team’s strategic engagement, which brought together policy dialogue, technical assessment and on-site project inspections.
Led by the Special Adviser/ Director-General of the Office of Transformation and Service Delivery and Chairman of the Agric-MEAL Team, Dr. John Ekundayo, the exercise underscored the Oyebanji administration’s emphasis on evidence-based governance, transparency and accountability in public agricultural spending and collaboration between government and private investors in driving agricultural growth.
The first day of the programme focused on a review of the performance of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and outlining government key strategic priorities for 2026. The deliberations provided opportunity to assess progress already made, identify the gaps requiring urgent attention and set a clear direction for sustaining food security gains across Ekiti State.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, disclosed that the ministry achieved a 78.6 per cent budget performance in 2025 despite the turbulent economic challenges.
Boluwade, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Ebenezer Babatope Ojo, highlighted the government’s key initiatives, including the Ekiti Broiler Production Scheme, the Ekiti Fish Production Scheme, distribution of cocoa and oil palm seedlings.
Others are land clearing, mechanisation support, farm infrastructure upgrade and deployment of solar-powered irrigation systems for year-round farming.
Looking ahead, the Commissioner said the government plans to invest about N12billion in youth-oriented agribusiness initiatives, establishment of fish villages and modern storage warehouses, cocoa seed gardens, digitalisation of farmers’ records, improved irrigation infrastructure and modern post-harvest facilities.
He reiterated the Governor Biodun Oyebanji-led administration’s commitment to boosting food production, stabilising market prices, and positioning Ekiti as a leading agricultural hub in the region and Nigeria at large through strategic investment in the sector. On the second day, members of Agric-MEAL Team conducted field inspections of key projects. Among them was the 200-acre Alagba Joel Memorial Farm in Ipoti-Ekiti, established by ex-president of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Dr. Segun Ajibola.
The 200-acre farm combines oil palm, cassava, banana, and yam cultivation with a functioning palm oil processing facility, contributing to agro-industrial development in the state.
In his remarks, Ekundayo said the visit was aimed at evaluating private agricultural investments, identifying productivity gaps as well as deepening collaboration between government and investors toward improved food production and rural development. He noted the growing level of private participation in Ekiti’s agricultural sector and stressed the need for sustained infrastructure support to guarantee higher yields, efficient market access and stronger contribution to the state’s economy.
Describing the plantation as a major investment with significant economic potential, the DG said the government remained committed to creating an enabling environment that would encourage more investors to venture into commercial farming.
Ekundayo, however, identified poor rural road infrastructure as a major challenge affecting access to farmlands and transportation of produce, expressing optimism that relevant agricultural support programmes would address the constraint and improve farmers’ productivity.
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He added that youth-focused agricultural initiatives of the present administration were already attracting young people into commercial farming, assuring that more opportunities would be created to expand participation and strengthen food security in the state.
His words, “We have come here to look at this large farm settlement in the heart of Ekiti containing about 200 acres of oil palm and other plantings, with a processing plant producing hundreds of litres of palm oil almost daily.
“However, the road linking Ekiti to Ikoro is in a deplorable state. Many farmers operate along this route, and we believe the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAMP) in Ekiti could assist, so they can move their produce to markets. The government will address this.
"We have a lot of private investment in the state like this, and we want to encourage investors not to be discouraged, so we can have more produce coming out and positively impact the market.
"With the present administration, the Ekiti State Government has motivated many youths to participate in youth agricultural programmes and commercial agriculture. It is ongoing and gradual.
"Through the youth ministry, we will see how it can work better and more Ekiti youths are coming into agriculture. Definitely, there will be positive developments along that line as we move forward," Ekundayo added.
Ekundayo praised Governor Oyebanji for consistent support to farmers and assured Ajibola that challenges identified particularly poor road access, would be documented and presented for responsive action.
The Commissioner for Agriculture said the government had intensified efforts to strengthen agriculture and youth participation.
He disclosed that over 5,000 acres of land were cleared for farming in 2025 particularly for the youths, while inputs and fertilizers are being distributed to farmers at subsidised rates.
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Ojo added that the ministry was working with stakeholders to support palm oil production and ensure Ekiti retains its status as a major agricultural hub, with improved productivity and food security outcomes for residents.
Speaking, Ajibola explained that he entered agriculture after retiring from banking, aiming to continue contributing to the economy.
He explained that the farm covered that about 200 acres, with crops at different stages of maturity, including oil palm, banana, cassava and yam, alongside a palm processing plant established in 2016.
He highlighted labour shortages, poor road networks, unreliable power supply, and marketing challenges as major obstacles, calling for stronger government support to sustain growth and ensure national food security.
“Around 2007, I was at the top of my banking career as an Executive Director. I decided to go into farming and plantation agriculture, and in 2008 we planted the first set.
“The number one challenge is labour. It is difficult to get workers willing to stay, which leads to wastage and inability to harvest all ripe produce. Transportation is another major issue because the road has been in poor condition for over 10 years.
“Agriculture remains the mainstay of our economy. The government should support investors with infrastructure, assist in marketing finished products and reduce the cost of inputs,” he said.
The team also visited livestock-sector facilities in Ado-Ekiti developed under the World Bank-supported Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (Lpres) .The inspection included a modern veterinary hospital providing diagnostics, treatment, pharmaceutical services and surgery. The modern facility is expected to reduce livestock mortality, strengthen disease surveillance, and improve food safety.
An ultra-modern abattoir under construction was also inspected. The facility when completed would enhance operational efficiency and safety in meat production while generating employment and converting animal waste into useful by-products such as fertiliser.
